Chapter Seven

The world was dark, but Miranda could hear voices. She picked them out on by one: Mick, Josef, and Jonathan. Then Beth. She was quiet but still part of whatever conversation was going on.

"What happened?" Beth whispered.

"I can't explain why," Jonathan said, "But she's…human. It's a reverse change. I have never heard of such a thing but, then again, I never knew vampires could conceive either."

"Could the pregnancy do this?" Josef asked. "Could it cause her to…change back?"

"I don't know," Jonathan said. "If I had to venture a guess, I would say yes."

A door opened. "Tell me she's okay," Aubrey cried.

"Shh," the room said, simultaneously.

"Is mommy alright?" Zoe's voice was scared. "What's wrong with her?"

Miranda struggled to open her eyes but managed. She was in hospital bed. An IV was stuck in her arm. Not a vampire IV of blood, a human IV with a clear fluid. Strange, Miranda thought.

"Zoe," she whispered, turning her attention to the scared little girl.

Everyone turned to face the bed.

"Miranda," Mick said, crossing quickly to her side. He gathered her into his arms and kissed the top of the head. Though she couldn't see it, Miranda knew Mick's face would have been concerned but relieved.

"How are you feeling?" Jonathan asked, walking over to feel her forehead as Mick laid her back onto the pillows.

"Crappy," Miranda laughed. She held out her arms, to Zoe, who was clinging to Aubrey's side. The pigtailed little human girl ran and jumped onto the bed, curling against her mother's side.

"You're warmer than normal," Zoe said, looking up at Miranda.

Miranda nodded, tears filling her eyes. She kissed Zoe's forehead. "I know."

"She's…" Aubrey whispered. Her eyes were on the heart monitor. It was a steady bleep-bleep. "Her heart..."

Josef nodded, taking Aubrey's hand in a comforting manner. "She's alive."

Beth stood between Jonathan and Josef. "What does this mean?" she whispered.

"I have no idea," Jonathan said. He shook his head. "I'm going to have some food sent up for her." He looked at Zoe. "Zoe, dear, would you like to go to the playroom? Just for a little while, so the grown up's can talk?"

Zoe looked between her parents. "Is my mommy going to be okay?"

"I think so," Jonathan answered.

Zoe slowly climbed off the bed, and took Jonathan's hand. He took her from room and shut the door behind him. The moment it shut Miranda cried, "How is this possible?"

"We don't know," Mick whispered, he was clutching her hand.

"Ouch," Miranda cried. She pulled her hand away from Mick, whispering in shock, "Your grips too tight." Mick nodded, shaken by her frailty. He took her hand again but carefully.

"We think it's the pregnancy," Josef said, answering her previous question. "Your body needs to be alive to support a child so…it's turning you back."

"Do you think it could be permanent?" Aubrey asked. Her voice was stranded.

Josef shrugged, pulling her into his arms. "Your guess is as good as mine," Aubrey rested her forehead against his chest. Josef watched Miranda over the top of her sister's head.

"You mean, I'm human?" Miranda took a shaky breath, looking up into Mick's eyes. "I'm alive?"

Mick nodded, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. He held her close, still very afraid of breaking her.

Ten minutes later, Jonathan appeared again. He was carrying a tray. "This is for you." It was a small sandwich, a orange juice and an apple. "I would like to see you eat something."

Miranda nodded and took the sandwich. She ate it, with everyone watching her every move. She reached for the juice but stopped, staring at it.

"What?" Mick asked, concerned.

"If I was allergic to something before, would I still be?" she asked. Her gaze was on the doctor.

"I wouldn't know for sure but I would say let's not chance," Jonathan turned his head to the side. "Why?"

"I'm allergic to fruit," Miranda shook her head, taking a deep breath. "I haven't had to say that in so long."